Chapter 8, Liu Rong Temple
In a daze, I feel as if I am immersed in a violent cold current, with fierce winds and towering waves relentlessly crashing against me, accompanied by intense resentment and a sinister, decayed aura. The Buddhist beads on my wrist press against my chest, emitting a faint halo that prevents evil from approaching. However, the halo is very weak and soon fades into darkness, with the beads turning black one by one. The chilling aura penetrates my body, and once again, like a few nights ago, I find myself unable to move, caught in a state that is neither dream nor reality, neither awake nor asleep.
With a feeling of frustration, I walked to the exit and saw a middle-aged monk wearing glasses setting up a table by the roadside, selling incense, prayer beads, small booklets, and small Buddha statues. With no other options left, I approached him with a mindset of trying anything, asking: "Master, what should one do if encountering something unclean?"
I find myself in a state that is neither dream nor reality, able to think coherently, and even with my eyes closed, I can see the situation in the room. ... Thus, I recited the first half of the Great Compassion Mantra several times back and forth, and the female ghost did not appear again. The booklet I bought for ten yuan is more useful than the one thousand eight hundred eighty-eight yuan prayer beads. I no longer need to fear it, haha ...
I was taken aback; my total assets amount to only over 2,000, and I am about to pay the rent. If I buy this, I will be left with nothing to eat.
I was using the internet at a small internet café near my community, submitted several job applications, and bought a job-seeking newspaper. I found a few companies that might be promising; I don't mind if the salary is a bit lower, as I just want to make a living for now. However, they didn't even give me a chance for an interview, and after asking a few questions over the phone, they outright rejected me.
Years ago, the Hong Kong owner who constructed Liyuan Square invited the abbot of Liuyong Temple to assess the feng shui. Had he heeded the abbot's advice, perhaps many subsequent events would not have occurred. I am the source of the calamity at Liyuan Square; now that I have come to this point, could it be that there is a hidden destiny at play? The Buddhist teachings emphasize compassion, aiming to save all sentient beings. The work of the eminent monks is to subdue demons and eliminate evil; if they do not assist someone like me, then who will they help? I should have thought to seek their help long ago! The Buddhist teachings emphasize compassion, aiming to save all sentient beings. The work of the eminent monks is to subdue demons and eliminate evil; if they do not assist someone like me, then who will they help? I should have thought to seek their help long ago!
The female ghost was no longer gentle this time; she lunged at me, pinning me down, and leaned in to suck my vital energy directly from my mouth. She was drawing it out faster and more fiercely than before, seemingly intent on draining me completely. I was both frightened and anxious, struggling with all my might, but no matter how hard I tried, I couldn't move a single finger.
In the midst of the frenzy, I suddenly thought of the "Great Compassion Mantra," and so I silently recited in my heart: namoheladano, duolayeye, namowoliye... After reciting only five or six lines, I felt the pressure ease, and the state of being pressed by a ghost disappeared. However, I was still in a state of half-awake. The female ghost left me and floated away, her body no longer visible, only her eyes could be seen—those pitch-black eyes filled with terror and anger.
The monk smiled and said: "Amitabha, benefactor, your generosity and willingness to help others will surely earn the blessings of the Buddha."
Next to the monk was a red-painted merit box. He stated that his hands do not touch money, and all income is placed into the merit box without making change. It seems he is a monk who values purity and integrity. I dropped in 1,900 yuan, took the prayer beads and the "Great Compassion Mantra," and left.
The female ghost appeared before my bed, but unlike before, her long hair was flowing, and her clothes were billowing, exuding a fierce aura. I saw her eyes, which were as black as the last time I saw them in a dream, seemingly boundless. However, while they had appeared affectionate and infatuated, pitiful and delicate last time, now they were filled with resentment and rage
With Buddhist beads on my left hand and a Buddhist scripture in my right hand, my confidence surged, and I felt refreshed. On the bus ride home, I was no longer running a fever, and this expenditure was worth it! The female ghost should no longer dare to approach me, but another pressing issue looms ahead; I must quickly find a job to resolve my survival concerns
I suddenly heard Fang Liping's moans coming from next door, along with the rhythmic creaking of the mattress. My mind involuntarily focused on the sounds from next door, and a flurry of illusions immediately filled my brain. How could I still concentrate on reciting scriptures?
The monk slightly curled his lips, his face showing a look of disdain. Before I could open the box, he took it back and said: "This money is not for me; it goes directly into the merit box, used for the management and construction of the temple. So do not think that I am accumulating wealth, as such nonsense tarnishes the reputation of this temple."
The monk looked at me earnestly once more and took out a beautifully packaged box from the drawer of the table: "This is a string of prayer beads made from precious sandalwood, featuring the images of the Eighteen Arhats, consecrated by the abbot... However, it is quite expensive; a string costs 1888."
I secretly felt that something was amiss. I wanted to ignore it, but the sound clearly reached my ears, and its allure was stronger than ever. Fang Liping's revealing attire swayed in front of me. Soon, my blood surged, my breath quickened, and my body reacted; a wave of wicked fire within me made me feel as if I were about to explode. Why is it that the sounds I usually hear without much reaction, like the sounds of the bed, have become so sensitive today?
I continued to recite, and those eyes also disappeared. The room became bright and warm, but I only remembered a dozen or so lines; I had not memorized the rest. As soon as I stopped, the cold and dark feeling surged back, engulfing me. I hurriedly started reciting from the beginning again, and the cold and dark atmosphere gradually faded away.
I felt as if I had been doused with a bucket of cold water; it seems I was still too naive. If every visitor had to host the reception, then it would no longer be called hosting, but rather a service provided by a librarian or a welcoming gentleman. Only when a big boss or a distinguished guest arrives will the host come to greet them. If I were to donate one million, I believe the host would warmly invite me to the quiet room for tea and conversation, but unfortunately, I do not have such financial means. In this era, money is required wherever one goes
When I arrived home, Zhou Jian and Fang Liping were having dinner in the living room, with three dishes and a soup, creating a warm and romantic atmosphere that made me a bit envious. They invited me to join them for dinner, but I politely declined; in fact, they were merely making a casual remark without any real intention.
Having seen through the old man's deception, I felt quite pleased, but soon I began to worry again about how to rid myself of the female ghost's entanglement. Perhaps there truly are extraordinary individuals who play with the world, but I have not had the fortune to encounter one, and even if I did, they might not be willing to help me. Some so-called "masters" in the community, even if they could assist me, would require a substantial amount of money, which is precisely what I lack at the moment
Alas, if it weren't for that scoundrel Xu Guangli messing things up, I would already have 400,000; how could I be in such a dire situation? As the sky darkens, I have no choice but to buy some food by the roadside and head home.
It seems that the monk did not deceive me; this scripture indeed has some remarkable effects. After reciting it for a while, I felt a sense of tranquility, forgetting my worries. However, my eyelids began to grow heavy, and before I knew it, I had fallen asleep
Um ... ... Ah ... ... Ah ... ...
I felt a surge of spirit; I recognized this place, a famous ancient temple in Guangzhou known as the Six Banyan Temple. It is said that the Six Banyan Temple has a history of over one thousand years, and the two characters "Six Banyan" at the entrance were written by Su Dongpo. This pagoda, also known as the Flower Pagoda, has a similarly long history, and it houses the relics of the Buddha.
The monk adjusted his glasses, gazed deeply at me, and handed me a small booklet, saying: "Ten yuan. Reciting the 'Great Compassion Mantra' can dispel disasters and difficulties, protect against evil, and receive the guardianship of various deities. This book contains incredible efficacy. Just read according to the annotations above, and when reciting, you must do so with sincerity and focus.
After wandering aimlessly on the street for a while, I suddenly looked up and saw an open area where an ancient tower soared into the sky, standing at a height of fifty to sixty meters. Its eaves were elegantly raised, and each level resembled blooming petals, magnificent and imposing. At the foot of the ancient tower were several old buildings, shaded by lush trees, with high surrounding walls. Although the area was not large, it appeared particularly refreshing and tranquil amidst the concrete jungle of high-rise buildings.
I received a pamphlet, flipped through it, and recognized most of the characters, but I completely did not understand the meaning when they were put together. Additionally, there was a line of phonetic annotations, which did not fully correspond to the pronunciation of the Chinese characters. It turned out that this was a transliteration of Sanskrit, or an ancient transliteration, which differs from modern Chinese, and can only be read according to pinyin. I hesitated; if a high monk recites this scripture, it should be effective, but is it effective if I recite it myself
The female ghost has come again. I was already on the brink of consciousness, but it took control of me once more. I recited the Great Compassion Mantra with immense willpower, yet my mind was filled with evil thoughts, and I could not concentrate, rendering it ineffective.
This place is not very large, yet there are quite a number of visitors. I wandered around several large and small halls, but did not see a single monk resembling a high monk. I inquired with a young monk who was sweeping the floor, and learned that the abbot and several masters were not present, as they had gone to attend a meeting, and that the abbot generally does not meet with visitors
Having not slept well for several consecutive days and feeling drained of my vital energy by a female ghost, I felt somewhat fatigued and weak, lying down without even taking a shower. I went to bed too early but couldn't fall asleep, so I opened a small booklet and quietly recited the "Great Compassion Mantra," only looking at the pinyin and not the characters. The Chinese characters did not match the pronunciation; for instance, "南无" is pronounced as "namo," not "nanwu." The recitation of this scripture felt strange and awkward, and I completely did not understand its meaning. Memorizing it along with the illustrations was quite challenging. I went to bed too early but couldn't fall asleep, so I opened a small booklet and quietly recited the "Great Compassion Mantra," only looking at the pinyin and not the characters. The Chinese characters did not match the pronunciation; for instance, "南无" is pronounced as "namo," not "nanwu." The recitation of this scripture felt strange and awkward, and I completely did not understand its meaning. Memorizing it along with the illustrations was quite challenging.
Master, I am afraid I cannot recite it. Is there anything available for sale that can directly ward off evil?
It became angry; the prayer beads and Buddhist scriptures not only failed to pacify it, but instead provoked its anger!
I excitedly walked to the entrance and purchased a ticket to enter. Indeed, it was a thousand-year-old ancient temple, a sacred place of Buddhism. Although situated in a bustling city, it was tranquil and peaceful, exuding an elegant solemnity that made one feel as if they had entered another world. My head no longer felt dizzy, my waist was no longer sore, and my legs were full of strength, more effective than taking a certain calcium supplement advertised on television.
I cannot swallow this anger, and life is more important than money. Just then, my money was in my pocket, so I took it out and slammed it on the small table in front of the monk: "I will buy it!"
I silently lament my misfortune; the monk sold me a counterfeit product at a high price. Despite my carefulness, I was still deceived! If that monk is from the Liu Rong Temple, why did he sell outside the temple instead of inside? He never claimed to be a monk from Liu Rong Temple! That so-called merit box is just his wallet; putting money in it is no different from putting it in his pocket. It is not that I was careless, but rather that I placed too much trust in the Buddha and the monks. Nowadays, there are scammers everywhere, making it impossible to guard against them!
I opened the box, and inside were eighteen beads strung together as a bracelet. Each bead was intricately carved with a depiction of an Arhat, showcasing exquisite craftsmanship and lifelike detail. The wood was dense and hard, with a yellowish-brown hue, emanating a faint, subtle fragrance. Having known Xu Guangli for some time, I have gained some knowledge; this string of beads should be worth several hundred yuan, and 1888 yuan seems excessively expensive. However, upon further reflection, this is a sacred treasure that has been consecrated by a high monk, so how can it be evaluated from the perspective of antiques and crafts? Moreover, the money I spend is a donation to the temple, which can also be considered as doing good deeds. Surely, the Buddha in heaven will bless me, right? Wealth is merely an external possession; as long as I have my life, what is there to worry about in the future regarding making money?